The bold and colourful acrylic and gouache works I create are the essence of my art. I am formally trained with 4 art degrees: Diploma of Fine Arts, Distinction in Museum Curatorship, first class Masters and PhD at James Cook University Townsville NQ.
A desire to paint and create art from an early age, I have been painting and exhibiting my work for more than 40 years as a professional artist. Always in love with colour, when I came to tropical north Queensland I became passionate about the environment with its abundant lushness and fecundity. I like to call myself an en plein air painter in love with the Australian landscape. There is so much diversity in Australia with the tropical rainforests and Great Barrier Reef near Townsville where I live and the richness of the reds in the dramatic desert interior, are my inspiration. I have travelled extensively on art safaris criss crossing the continent in search of subjects for my art. Field work is very rewarding as I can put more feeling into my art. I have to work quickly because of the changing light and this enables me to be spontaneous and the work is full of energy and colour. I take photos for reference and complete the work in my studio. I also create larger studio work on canvas and paper from ideas, concepts and images I have gathered on my excursions.
Art Studio Residencies are very exciting experiences. I have been fortunate to have been accepted for several residencies including Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon Trust, Nowra, Mulgara Gallery, Sails in the Desert, Uluru central Australia, Radisson Tree Tops, Port Douglas to name a few. These residences have enabled me to extend my vision and experience other cultures especially in China.
I have exhibited my art widely throughout Australia and internationally in Russia, Beijing, New York, Paris and Budapest with more than 55 solo shows and many group shows. My work is represented in collections throughout the world and I have received over 50 art awards and I have been invited to judge several art competitions in north Queensland. I have my own boutique gallery Sylvia Ditchburn Fine Art Gallery in Townsville, that features my art and some local artists. I teach en plein air painting during the winter months to small groups and hold occasional themed group shows.
My work is about capturing a sense of place and Australia is a country full of colour and wonder.